Take Your Time: Why Rushing to Match Your Opponent Will Destroy Your Game
Ever notice how some players throw fast, and suddenly you're throwing faster too? You didn't consciously decide to speed up - it just happened. And now your rhythm is completely shot.
It's Extremely Common
This happens to almost everyone. When you're playing against a fast thrower, there's this subconscious pull to match their tempo. It's automatic. You don't even realize you're doing it.
Your opponent steps up, fires three darts in 8 seconds, and walks back. You step up... and suddenly you're rushing through your setup. Skipping the pause. Throwing before you're ready.
The tendency to try to keep up the pace is natural - and it will absolutely destroy your game.
You Didn't Notice Until Someone Pointed It Out
Most players don't realize they're doing this until someone mentions it. You might play against a fast opponent and leave thinking "I played terrible today" without understanding why.
Once you see it, you can't unsee it. You'll start noticing when you're unconsciously speeding up to match faster opponents.
The opponent didn't beat you. You beat yourself by abandoning your natural pace.
The Golf Course Lesson
Same thing happens on the golf course when there's a group behind you. You feel pressure. You rush your setup. You rush your swing. Your score goes to hell - not because the group behind you is better, but because you're no longer playing your game.
They can wait.
Take Your Time
When your opponent plays fast, there's subconscious pressure to match their tempo. It feels awkward to make them wait. It feels like you're holding up the game.
Take your time anyway.
Your opponent's pace is their problem, not yours. They chose to throw fast. You don't have to match it.
- Full setup every throw
- Complete your pause
- Don't release until you're ready
- Make them wait
If your natural pace is slower, own it. If you need 15 seconds per dart, take 15 seconds. The board doesn't care. The rules don't care. Only your ego cares - and your ego is working against you.
They Will Wait
This is the key realization: they have no choice but to wait.
They can't throw until you step back. So why are you rushing?
Your Time to Shine
Here's another way to think about it: When you're at the oche, everyone is watching you. Your opponent, the crowd, your teammates - all eyes are on you.
This is your moment. Why would you rush through it?
Take your time. Show them your best form. Let them watch you execute your process perfectly. When you rush, you're not just hurting your performance - you're showing everyone a lesser version of yourself.
The oche is your stage. Own it.
And here's the kicker: people will literally pay to watch you take your time and throw well. Professional darts wouldn't exist if fast throwing was the goal. Fans pay to watch quality, deliberate, consistent darts - not rushed throws.
Your Pace Is Your Pace
Your natural pace is whatever allows you to execute your process consistently:
- Setup position
- Pause
- Throw
- Follow-through
If that takes 10 seconds, it takes 10 seconds. If it takes 20, it takes 20. The only wrong pace is one that's not yours.
Don't Overthink It
Here's the paradox: reading an article about not rushing can make you overthink whether you're rushing. "Am I going too fast? Should I slow down? Wait, am I thinking about this too much?"
The goal isn't to think about pace at all.
The goal is to build a consistent routine that naturally sets your pace, then trust it. Once your routine is locked in, you stop thinking about timing entirely. You just step up and throw.
The best throws happen when you're not thinking about anything - not your pace, not your mechanics, not the score. Just pure execution. That only comes from repetition of a consistent process.
So yes, build your routine. Practice it until it's automatic. Then forget about all this and just throw.
The Bottom Line
Take your time. Play your pace, not theirs.
Fast players will always play fast. Slow players will always play slow. The winners are the ones who stick to their process regardless of what the opponent is doing.
They will wait.
Want more mental game tips? Check out our guide on Why You Miss Easy Shots and how to stay present during pressure situations.